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Arrival at the Pacific Ocean

Arrival at the Pacific Ocean

. . . By Land (Detail)

Photos by James Sayce

While the rest of the Corps huddled in the gale-driven rain at Station Camp, Clark and ten of his men, plus his servant York, set out overland, on November 18, 1805, toward the Pacific Ocean. On the 19th, having hiked a total of 25 miles, they arrived at "the Comencment of an extencive Sand beech." "I proceeded on the Sandy Coast 4 miles," Clark reported, "and marked my name on a Small pine, the Day of the month & year, &c." The "&c." included "by land," as Lewis had carved on a tree at Cape Disappointment a few days earlier, thus officially marking the extent of their journey.

This sculpture by Stanley Wanlass, situated in the city of Long Beach, Washington, commemorates that moment. Although Lewis was not with Clark on November 19, the artist places him there, as if present in spirit, to symbolize their mutual triumph.